The Rural Papers

Lyle Kohlmeier Joins KRC Staff

KRC announces the hiring of Lyle Kohlmeier, Strong City, Kansas, as our newest Field Organizer in the Clean Water Farms/WRAPS (Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy) Project. Lyle will be working in the WRAPS Watersheds in central and southeast Kansas, including: Twin Lakes, Clarks Creek, Neosho Headwaters, Upper Neosho, Melvern, and Marion WRAPS. He will organize educational workshops and field days, and work one on one with farmers and ranchers to provide whole farm conservation planning assistance, and assisting watersheds with their cost-share programs.

Lyle comes to KRC after retiring from a long career in USDA NRCS, most recently as Resource Conservationist in the Emporia Area Office. There he worked in 24 counties in southeast Kansas. “We think Lyle's background and experience in Kansas agriculture, federal and state conservation programs, and working with farmers makes him an excellent addition to our staff and the WRAPS watershed process,” stated Mary Fund, Acting KRC Director. Lyle joins other KRC part-time field staff Dale Kirkham, Eureka, Ks., Mary Howell, Frankfort, Ks., and Ed Reznicek, Goff, Ks.

KRC’s Clean Water Farms - WRAPS Project is funded through the Kansas Department of Health and Environment with U.S. EPA 319 Funds.

KRC Elects New Officers and Welcomes New Members

At the February 2011 board meeting, KRC said farewell to outgoing board president Harry Bennett, Marion, Ks. Harry, who has served on the board since 2006 and as board president since 2008, is moving to Madison, Wisconsin with wife Margy. He will continue to work as a marketing and transportation coordinator for Kansas Organic Producers Marketing Coop. It is sad to see Harry and Margy leave Kansas, but we know their political efforts will continue full throttle in Wisconsin, and we wish them the best!

Our other departing board member is Paul Johnson, who resigned from the board in order to serve as KRC’s Legislative and Policy Watch consultant during the State Legislative session.

Newly elected to the board are Charlie Griffin, Riley, Ks. Charlie served on the board several years ago, and returns to help us as we go through a major staff transition year. Bill Hanlon, Reading, Ks., also joins KRC. Bill brings knowledge of green construction and design through his work in sustainable living programs at Flint Hills Technical College, plus he is involved in the Emporia local food system. Sadly, Bill lost his home to the Reading, Kansas, tornado in May. So he will be putting that knowledge of building and construction to personal use in the coming months.

Marjorie Van Buren, Topeka, and Laura Fortmeyer, Fairview, were elected as Co-Presidents for 2011, with Marjorie bringing an urban consumer perspective and Laura the farmer perspective to KRC’s leadership. Wayne White was elected Treasurer, and Julie Elfving as Secretary.